Police have been called to Lurgan Play Park three evenings in a row over reports of anti-social behaviour.
Parents have also raised serious concerns about groups of youths taking over the park and intimidating other, younger users, especially in the evenings.
Council officers have reported that the PSNI have had to intervene several nights in a row, with an assault reported on Friday evening.
Sinn Fein Councillor Keith Haughian say the youths have been using abusive language with young families nearby.
His party colleague, Councillor Sorchá McGeown, has reported similar concerns, which parents have raised with her.
“In the brand new Lurgan Park play park children are climbing up on top of the slides – there is a significant drop from these slides; if this continues it’s only a matter of time before a child is seriously hurt,” she said.
She added: “Some children are using abusive language, and preventing other children from using the equipment. I’m getting reports of this happening in Lurgan Park, Allenhill and Tannaghmore Gardens.
“If your child is going to the play parks unattended, I urge you to please speak to them before hand, know where they are and what they are doing.
“This sort of behaviour is ruining it for other children and families.”
One mother commented: “I’ve seen it all first hand. I was disgusted when I took my kids on Monday and saw a lot of unsupervised children from age 10-14 doing all of the above and even getting into the wheelchair swing and trying to get it to move. I hope it stops because I wouldn’t like to see the new park being ruined for the younger children.”
Another added: “Was same [on Thursday night] in the park; my wee girl couldn’t get up to the slides in Lurgan Park because of a group of kids telling her to f*** off.
“The wee fellas were trying to cut the rope ladders you climb up. She got too scared and come back down. She was so disappointed.”
One mother said she will not return in the evenings again.
